Scanner Survey (I)

With the improvement of the quality of the scanner and the decrease of the price, scanners are commonly used for digitizing the input process.
There are several important indicators to consider when purchasing a scanner: optical resolution, color depth, dynamic density range, color and detail acquisition. And the scanner's bundled sales software is also very important to the scanner's capabilities. Some of the current high-functionality software can help us to adjust, process, and cut the pre-views that are very close to the scanning effect before scanning, and then perform the actual scanning process without having to access other processing software.
Scanners are gradually turning to home-grown manufacturers of platform scanners to improve the output quality by improving software and hardware methods to make scanners used in commercial printing easier to operate. Therefore, many commercial printing departments will purchase high-quality scanners to scan on their own without sending the job to other service departments.
Due to the rapid development of scanners, many high-quality scanners, including large drums or flatbed scanners, will suffer the fate of being eliminated within a short period of time. Over the past few years, the sales of platform scanners have surpassed that of drum scanners. The purchasers of roller scanners are generally high-end commercial printing companies, high-end photo studios and trade shops (groups that only work in the printing process). Moreover, some printers using a platform scanner also purchase roller scanners to advertise their high quality results. According to expert analysis, drum scanner sales are relatively stable, while platform scanners have a rising trend.
Scanner vendors are now continuing to develop new technologies to increase the number of scanners scanned and to obtain higher quality data. Like XY zoom technology. The XY zoom technology allows the flatbed scanner to perform zoom scanning of the image at any position on the scanning platform, without wasting time for setting the optimum scanning status.
Some manufacturers believe that the XY zoom technology is an early technology that can only scan in both XY directions. Scitex announced Scitex's XY suture technology. This technique divides the image into a number of narrow strips, scans them separately, and then automatically pastes them together to achieve high-resolution images. In this way, you can freely choose the scanning resolution to scan any size image.
A variety of products, hardware and software updates Agfa's high-end scanner - AgfaScan XY-15 CCD, has been designed to move in multiple directions. In March 1999, Agfa announced that the Agfascan XY-15 scanner uses the Color Exact scanning automation program and Color Tune color management software (high-end ICC format color management method, which can generate device feature description files and rapid color conversion.)
When the XY-15's XY zoom structure allows any image on the original holder to be scanned, any resolution can be set. Agfa said that the device can scan more than 40 images in one hour and provide batch scan settings. When the A3 format platform scans the transmitted document, the size can reach 13.8*17.9 inches, and the size of the reflected original can reach 13.8*18.5 inches. The XY-15 sensor is a three-line CCD with 8000 points. The maximum density is 4.1D, the dynamic range is 3.9D, the color depth is 16 bits, the optical resolution is 5000 dpi, and the interpolation resolution is 15000 dpi.
Agfa's product, AgfaScan T5000 platform, which was two years ago, has a resolution of 5000 dpi and 13 bit depth. Its 10200-user scanner can acquire 3 accurate RGB color signals in one scan. The company says that the T5000 processes up to 100 scans per operation, including settings for different original sizes and scan resolutions. Two custom lenses allow precise optical operation at both high and low resolutions.
The product also includes a patented technology to make fine adjustments to the suspended transparent document holder to ensure proper focusing of the entire image. The bundled software for this scanner includes ColorExact and ColorTune.
Fujifilm's Celsis C-550 platform scanner utilizes the XY technology to scan and focus A3 or more format images so that every job on the scan frame can be scanned with maximum scan resolution. There is no need to consider the location of the job on the platform. The scanner uses a movable light source rod to easily scan 3D objects. The C-550 has an optical resolution of 5000 dpi and a zoom range of 20% to 3000%. And the device can perform 48 scans per hour.
Heidelberg USA has developed a number of high-end scanners, including Topaz platform scanners, Tango cylinder scanners, and Chromagraph S3900 cylinder scanners. The Topaz scanner can scan all types of originals from 35mm film to 12*18 reflections and small 3D objects. The highlight of this scanner is the use of ICC Profile-compatible ColorSync2; and the device-independent CIE-L*a*b* color space, with simple L*C*H* operation and an integrated CMYK user interface Available; bundled Color Assistant software for color compensation using image equipment, automatic image analysis for grading adjustments; Job Assistant software for background and batch scanning; optional Geo Assistant software for automatic recognition of originals With the live scan, Topaz has 3 x 8000 pixels of three-line color CCD arrays. The data contains a 16-bit depth and a maximum response density of 4.0D. And the scanner has automatic size conversion, automatic sharpening and auto focus.
Heidelberg CPS also dominates many scanner markets, including the new Saphir Hires scanner introduced in April 1999 and the Circon and Saphir Ultraz scanners that have been launched for a year. Among them, the Circon scanner is the best product in this series with a maximum density of 3.7D and a 42-bit resolution. Its dual-page, three-lens design achieves a resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi and a magnification of 1200%. Circon has succeeded most successfully in the commercial printer market, and 30%-40% of commercial printers use this type of scanner.
The new Saphir Hires is a single-page, dual-lens model with a magnification of 1200%. The Moving Plate design moves the original holder but the optical system is stationary. Moreover, its dual-lens system allows the user to select the resolution of the most suitable document size. The device has a color depth of up to 42 bits and includes a 10,500-point CCD array with an optical resolution of 3048*3048 dpi.
Easy to use is also very important Under normal circumstances, people's choice of scanner is mostly based on scanning quality as the main considerations, and easy to use and otherwise in the second place. However, with the improvement of scanner quality, manufacturers have more considerations on the convenience of use. Howtek offers HiResolve 8000 and Scan Master 4500 drum scanners designed to meet the needs of large format printers. Their color depth is 48bit. Hiresolve 8000 has an optical resolution of 8000*8000 dpi and a dynamic density range of 0 to 4.2 at a full-frame image area of ​​11.5*12 inches. The device has a drum speed of 1600 rpm.
Howtek has designed Trident Version 3.0 software for the company's Hiresolve line. This program adds 50% new features, including queuing tools, simplified color control, and device-independent L*a*b* color space control. Other important improvements include improved file processing capabilities, multicolor droppers, automatic color correction capabilities, and full support for ColorSync. The company's ScanMaster4500 Desktop Drum Scanner, available in 1994, can process images up to 11*11.8 inches. For reflection, transmission, positive or negative originals can be placed on the roller to scan, magnifying capacity of 10% -2400%. (To be continued)